Heartbreak for S/Africa as Alozie fires Nigeria into Women’s AFCON final

By Mark Ogagan

African powerhouse Nigeria are into the final of the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations thanks to Michelle Alozie’s late winner against South Africa in Casablanca on Tuesday.

The 2-1 victory stretched Nigeria’s overall dominance over arch rivals South Africa as the record nine-time champions seek to rule the continent again.

Rasheedat Ajibade’s penalty kick had given the Super Falcons a first half lead, but Banyana Banyana restored parity with a spot kick of their own in after the break as Linda Motlhalo converted.

The game seemed headed for extra time, but four minutes into stoppage time, Alozie floated a cross deep into the box and under pressure from two Nigerian forwards, South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini allowed the ball to slip past her and into the net.

Nigeria will now meet Morocco in Saturday’s final in Rabat, after the hosts dispatched Ghana 4-2 on penalties, following a 1-1 stalemate in extra time.

www.amatropics.com